Spinning top



June 2, 1931. w, CHEFFER 1,807,964

SPINNING TOP Filed May 12, 1930 Ji -0772 2y.

Patented June 2, 1931 UNITED STATES WALTER J'. CHEFFER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS SPINNING TOP Application filed May 12, 1930. Serial 110,451,600.

This invention relates to a spinning top.

One of the main objects of this invent on is to provide an efficient spinning top which is extremely compact and inexpenslve in construction, so that it can be placed on the market at a very low price. Another ob ect is to provide a simple and economical top, to which the spinning momentum is readily imparted by alternately drawing on and slackening the spinning cord. A further object is to provide such a top, to which the spinning momentum is readily imparted by reciprocating it while supported manually, and which includes shield means to prevent the hand from touching the top and impeding its reciprocation during the winding operation.

These objects and other objects and ad vantages are attained with this invention, as will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of one form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view thereof, taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an inverted plan view of this form of my invention.

Figs. 4 and 5 are elevational views of a slightly modified and simpler form of my invention, showing the manually-held band means from two different directions.

The form of my invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 comprises a body member 10 which is preferably in the form of a ball or globe, that may be made solid, asshown in the drawings, and from such materials as wood, bakelite, etc. A spinning pin 11, preferably a metal pin, is firmly secured with its inner end in the ball, as by making it pointed and driving it therein; and this pin extends a distance below the ball and is preferably provided with a rounded portion or head 12 at its lower end, upon which the top spins. The pin also arranged to have the end of a cord 13 secured thereto, as by providing a hole 14. in the pin for receiving the end of the cord.

Means is provided to be held between the fingers or in the hand for rotatably supporting the ball and pin, so that a spinning motion may be readily imparted to the ball and pin by drawing upon the cord. This means is preferably provided in the form of a curved band member or frame 15 which is journaled upon a downwardly-extending end of the pin, between head 12 and the ball. A shield 16 is secured on the top of the .band member or frame, as by being made integral therewith, for preventing the fingers and hand from engaging the ball and impeding its rotation during the winding operation.

Said shield is preferably dish or saucer like and so shaped that it contacts upon the ball with only a small annular portion surround ing the pin, to avoid friction and subsequent impediments to the reciprocation of the ball during the winding operation.

The form of invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 comprises a body member or ball 10, like in the preceding form, also a pin 11 which is secured in said ball and has a head '12 at its lower end on which the topspins, a hole ll being provided in the pin for securing a cord 13 thereto.

1 The manually-held means however differs in this form and is made simpler and at a smaller cost than the means 15 and 16 in the preceding form. The present means is made in the form of a closed band or ring-like member 17 which has the pin eX-' tending diametrically and vrotatably therethrough, so that the pin and ball will freely rotate while the band member is being held by the fingers and the cord is manipulated to oscillate the ball and impart the spinning motion thereto.

In either form of my invention the desired spinning motion or momentum can be very readily imparted to the top by holding the band member between the fingers and then alternately drawing on and slacl ening the cord, thereby reciprocating the ball and pin with a to-and-fro motion until a suflicient spinning motion or momentum has been imparted to the top, whereupon the top is merely dropped to the floor, or the like, and the cord automatically winds itself completely on the pin within the band member, and due to the arrangement and distribution of the various parts, the top automatically rights itself and spins for a comparatively long time.

I claim:

g A spinning top comprising a ball, a spinning pin having its inner end securely held therein, a portion of said pin extending below saidball and being arranged to have a cord secured thereto, a curved band 1: member j ournaled on said extending portion, to be held by the fingers While the ball and the pin are rotated on the member, and a rounded shield secured to and extending across the top part of said band member 1.1 and arranged to have the ball bear rotatably upon its central part for ease of rotation, the shield having an annular outward part adapted to overlie the fingers and fully prevent them from contacting with. the ballor impeding its rotation. i

2. A spinning top comprising a ball, a spinning pin having its inner end extending into said ball and securely retained therein, a portion of said pin extending below said ball and being arranged to have a cord secured thereto, a curved band member journaled on said extending portion and being fiat on its opposite sides to provide a good finger hold, a shield secured across the top part of said band member to fully overlie the same in every direction andadapted to entirely overlie the fingers and prevent them from contacting with the ball or impeding its rotation, said shield being constructed and arranged to have the ball bear only on its central part to provide ease of rotation thereon, and a head at the lower end of said pin whereby the ball may spin on a-smoothsurface without marring the same. V

3. A spinning topconsisting of a ball, a spinning pin having its inner end extending ,thereinto and securely retained therein, and having a portion extending a distance therebelow and'arranged: to have a cord secured thereto, a globular head. at the lower end of said extending portion whereby the: top may spin on a smooth surface without marring the same, a

curved. band member journaled on said extending portion, to be held by the fingers for w the ball and pin to rotate thereon, and a saucer-shaped shield secured to and extending across the top part of said band member and having a greater. radius of curvature than that of the ball, whereby its central part only bears rotatabl'y against the ball, for ease of rota- 1 tion, and its main and outward part overlies the fingers and preventsthemfrom contacting with the ball or impeding its rotation. 7

In testimony whereof I have signed my nametothisspecification.

WALTER J. CHEFF ER. 

